michaelb_mannheim
Joined Nov 2011
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michaelb_mannheim's rating
This Chinese drama begins like a harmless crime story set sometime in the imperial era. Zhang Ping, a gifted noodle seller and equally talented amateur sleuth, is exploited by Lan Jue, the Vice Minister of Rites, who is hoping for political advancement. Strange murder cases occur around the palace, and Zhang Ping's sharp deductive skills prove useful in pursuing them.
Between the two main characters-who at first stand in stark contrast to one another-a relationship of cooperation and mutual support develops, gradually opening the door to revelations about past events: the annihilation of an entire village by a mysterious poisonous cloud, the execution of Lan Jue's father and many of his relatives, and the troubled relationship between the Empress Dowager and her son. These discoveries not only put Zhang Ping and Lan Jue's friendship to the test but also reveal that every fragment forms part of a larger picture.
This makes for an incredibly gripping narrative arc that, by the middle of the series at the latest, becomes almost impossible to turn off. On top of that, the casting is pitch-perfect down to the supporting roles, and the production design is lavish.
However, viewers expecting the typical fight scenes of Chinese historical dramas may be disappointed. There are no warriors flying through the air or similar stylized battles. Instead, the series captivates with its intricate concept and its constant exploration of the nature of good and evil.
In the end, it raises profound questions: Should one attempt to cleanse and rectify the mistakes of the past, or, for the greater good, sometimes strike a pact with the devil? The two protagonists are compelling to follow-not for their fists, but for their inner struggles.
Though "only" a TV series, Tencent has created something here that feels like grand epic cinema. A truly remarkable production that clearly bears the mark of genuine dedication.
Between the two main characters-who at first stand in stark contrast to one another-a relationship of cooperation and mutual support develops, gradually opening the door to revelations about past events: the annihilation of an entire village by a mysterious poisonous cloud, the execution of Lan Jue's father and many of his relatives, and the troubled relationship between the Empress Dowager and her son. These discoveries not only put Zhang Ping and Lan Jue's friendship to the test but also reveal that every fragment forms part of a larger picture.
This makes for an incredibly gripping narrative arc that, by the middle of the series at the latest, becomes almost impossible to turn off. On top of that, the casting is pitch-perfect down to the supporting roles, and the production design is lavish.
However, viewers expecting the typical fight scenes of Chinese historical dramas may be disappointed. There are no warriors flying through the air or similar stylized battles. Instead, the series captivates with its intricate concept and its constant exploration of the nature of good and evil.
In the end, it raises profound questions: Should one attempt to cleanse and rectify the mistakes of the past, or, for the greater good, sometimes strike a pact with the devil? The two protagonists are compelling to follow-not for their fists, but for their inner struggles.
Though "only" a TV series, Tencent has created something here that feels like grand epic cinema. A truly remarkable production that clearly bears the mark of genuine dedication.
The video game-loving Lin Jiushi finds himself in a VR game that feels more real than reality itself. Along the way, he meets the group Obsidian and their leader Ruan Lan Zhu. The games behind the doors are designed like escape rooms, and anyone who breaks (initially unknown) rules pays for it with their life. Whoever dies in the video game soon dies in real life as well.
The appeal of the series lies in the variety and creativity of the individual game levels. The show also takes its time to develop the main characters. A deep friendship-essentially a bromance-develops between the two leads. All of this is incredibly charming.
I would deduct a few points for the depiction of a psychiatric hospital set in the U. S. Not only are all the staff portrayed as Asian, but all the signage remains in Chinese. One might consider this a bit illogical. There are also undertones of anti-American sentiment in the series, with a general message that evil capitalism threatens the pure Chinese video game. But to be fair, this reversal of good and evil is often just as clichéd in the other direction in Western media.
Ultimately, though, the series is simply so well made and thrilling that I still think it's brilliant. And without spoiling anything: the ending-often a weak point in Korean dramas-turns out to be surprisingly well thought out in this Chinese series. It puts everything in a new light and ties many threads together.
A truly fantastic series that's so addictive, 38 episodes just aren't enough.
The appeal of the series lies in the variety and creativity of the individual game levels. The show also takes its time to develop the main characters. A deep friendship-essentially a bromance-develops between the two leads. All of this is incredibly charming.
I would deduct a few points for the depiction of a psychiatric hospital set in the U. S. Not only are all the staff portrayed as Asian, but all the signage remains in Chinese. One might consider this a bit illogical. There are also undertones of anti-American sentiment in the series, with a general message that evil capitalism threatens the pure Chinese video game. But to be fair, this reversal of good and evil is often just as clichéd in the other direction in Western media.
Ultimately, though, the series is simply so well made and thrilling that I still think it's brilliant. And without spoiling anything: the ending-often a weak point in Korean dramas-turns out to be surprisingly well thought out in this Chinese series. It puts everything in a new light and ties many threads together.
A truly fantastic series that's so addictive, 38 episodes just aren't enough.
I have watched several GMMTV BL shows, and the better ones often thrive on the strong chemistry between the lead characters. That's half the success. In Wandee Goodday, you can definitely feel the harmony between the leads. The story of two very different guys who initially dislike each other but gradually progress from anticipation, through friends with benefits, to lovers is full of fun and romantic scenes. The producers also made a great choice in casting the supporting actors. You might enjoy this series if you liked Bad Buddy, though Wandee Goodday is a bit more mature and serious. As with every GMMTV series, there's some overly obvious product placement, which makes certain scenes unintentionally funny-like a typical champagne scene where they use something resembling special milk in a tetrapak for the celebration, or the inclusion of a vaccination campaign in the storyline. However I recommend the series if you are searching for a better Thai BL with great actors.